Lewis Buys UK Digital Shop Purestone

Lewis PR is acquiring UK-based digital marketing agency Purestone, expanding the firm’s capabilities to include e-commerce, audience mapping, mobile and app development, as well as adding to its analytics, social, SEO and web production services.

The combined entity, which will service both UK and global clients, grows the Lewis digital team to 25 in London, essentially quadrupling the division. Digital shop Purestone’s client portfolio over the past decade has included Adidas, ASOS, UK Mail, PayPal, Freshfields, Royal Bank of Scotland and Towers Watson. It will continue to operate independently with founders Simon Butler and James Smee at the helm.

The deal follows plans put into motion last year to expand Lewis Pulse (the firm’s digital division) throughout Europe and Asia. Stephen Corsi leads Lewis Pulse globally, overseeing its hubs in Barcelona, Boston, Eindhoven, London, San Francisco and Singapore.

“Our clients were asking for more content, social and international capabilities, and so the vision and independence of LEWIS was exactly the right fit to help us achieve our ambitions to grow the business,” Butler says.

Lewis CEO Chris Lewis adds, "As an independent we have the ability to act quickly. We invest in expanding our skillsets to satisfy client demand. This acquisition is another step in that direction. It underpins our strategy to become a global top 20 full service communications agency.”

Purestone were advised by M&A Advisory in the all-cash transaction.

Disclosure: Purestone is working with the Holmes Report on its upcoming redesign.

Featured image left to right, Chris Lewis, Giles Peddy, Simon Butler, James Smee.